It turns out, a pretty big one.

Studies have shown that patients who follow a strict vegan or Mediterranean diet experience improvements in pain symptoms. Regular exercise, controlling stress levels, and eating healthy foods all work in unison to reduce inflammation, a primary cause of chronic pain. Inflammation is the body’s immune response to toxins and injuries; a biochemical coagulation reaction that signals to the body that repair is needed. While this inflammatory process is critical to healing, the inflammation itself causes pain, and over time it can trigger chronic diseases such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and even depression.

Maintaining healthy cholesterol and insulin levels can keep inflammation at bay, which is especially important as patients age, where natural arthritic degeneration can cause inflammation more regularly. Fibromyalgia, a constant source of frustration for millions of patients nationwide, has also been shown to be eased with a proper anti-inflammatory diet.

While targeted interventional care is sometimes needed, one of the most exciting and easy-to-accomplish approaches to pain management is in your diet. A natural, anti-inflammatory diet helps speed along recovery from injuries and other pain conditions, and is a necessary factor in a well-rounded approach to chronic pain.

Here are three basics to fighting inflammation with your diet;

1. Eat your vegies! 8-9 Servings of vegetables each day. You can alternate several of these servings with fruit instead. Cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels Sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower are particularly helpful in reducing inflammation.
2. Restrict the grains. Dairy, simple carbohydrates, flour, and sugar are particularly bad choices for those in chronic pain as they tend to cause inflammation. When consuming grains, choose whole grains like barley, oats, quinoa, and brown rice over other options, and limit your intake. Olive oil and nuts are also effective inflammation fighters.
3. Avoid red meat: Now I know this one may not be all that popular, but red meat can be a significant trigger for inflammation. Replacing red meat with fish or choosing vegetarian options is always a wise decision. Alternating some red meats with chicken can also help. While chicken isn’t necessarily beneficial, it’s not a trigger of inflammation the way red meat is.

Maintaining a healthy weight, the side effect of good diet and exercise, is the best way to fight arthritis and inflammation. Get a simple exercise routine going, even if it’s only a 30 minute walk 2-3 days a week. That kind of activity can ward off pain and increase overall health and wellbeing. It can also be a time to decompress and de-stress, another major factor in keeping pain levels down.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21139128

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation

For more tips on a healthy diet and low-stress exercise regimen, consult your physician today!

941-375-3006

The post Diet and Pain Management appeared first on Restore Medical Partners.

FIGHTING AGAINST THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC

No doubt you’ve heard repeatedly about the opioid epidemic sweeping the nation. Just a few short years ago, it would be unthinkable for presidential candidates to be debating the cause and possible policy to combat this kind of rampant abuse. Now the conversation is commonplace. It’s likely that you have been touched by opioid addiction, whether through a loved one or friends of friends. It’s truly a startling public health crisis. Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the US, with over 64,000 lethal drug overdoses in 2016. Opioid addiction is driving this epidemic, with an estimated two thirds caused directly by opiates. According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, pain is a significant public health problem that costs society at least $560-$635 billion annually, an amount equal to about $2,000.00 for everyone living in the U.S.*2. For the first time since the 1950’s, life expectancy in the US dropped for two consecutive years. The soaring deaths related to synthetic opioids are playing a tragic role in that. *3. Opioids are truly a complex subject to discuss, and those in the medical field have a particularly challenging task of fighting back.

So what can be done?

The blame for the emergence of the opioid epidemic falls on many shoulders, but there are those that are taking a stand against the rising tide. Comprehensive pain management physician specialists are needed now more than ever to take the reins in caring for these challenging patients, and fighting to ensure that they avoid becoming just another statistic. A major challenge is that many patients, as well as many physicians, don’t know what comprehensive pain management doctors even do!

Pain management has evolved significantly over the past decade, and a wave of technological and innovative advances are pushing the boundaries of what is possible to treat acute, and more critically, chronic pain. No longer is the field dominated by medicine management and the occasional steroid injection. Instead of a last resort, pain management is becoming an earlier step in typical treatment. Minimally invasive procedures and non-opioid adjunct medications have revolutionized the way pain is viewed and treated. Like most fields of medicine in the past quarter-century, pain has undergone a renaissance of sorts, and highly skilled physicians are entering the specialty and changing the game.

The titanic challenge of the opioid crisis requires a well-rounded and progressive approach. Skilled physicians such as Lindsey Job MD and Peter Fernandez MD of Restore Medical Partners in Venice and Sarasota, FL are working towards a paradigm shift in the field; shifting focus to targeted interventional therapies (x-ray guided injections, ablations, etc) and incorporating integrative medicine and physical therapy. Accurate diagnosis and treatment with guided procedures can allow patients to undergo physical therapy, setting them on a road to recovery, and most often, off of addictive opioid medications. With support from their medical teams, Physicians like these are helping to turn the tide in their communities, managing medications appropriately, catching pain early (before patients have become dependent on narcotic medications), and more importantly educating the public on their dangers.

Living with chronic pain can be a truly devastating experience for anyone. And the numbers certainly are scary. But there is a way forward; a responsible and effective way to practice pain management. The public need to know that there are options beyond dangerous opiates, and that you don’t have to live in pain due to fear of being treated with narcotic medications. Only with the correct approach can chronic pain, and the opioid epidemic with it, be contained and resolved. Only with the leadership of these innovative pain management mavericks can we combat this crisis head-on, and save the lives of thousands along the way.

Sources:

Rudd RA, Seth P, David F, Scholl L. Increases in Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths — United States, 2010–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:1445–1452. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm655051e1

http://www.painmed.org/patientcenter/facts_on_pain.aspx

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/life-expectancy-in-the-u-s-is-falling-and-drug-overdose-deaths-are-soaring/

Watch ABC7 on Thursday, February 22nd at 7pm to see how Dr. Job and Restore Medical Partners are leading the charge in the fight against the opioid crisis.

The post Opioid Epidemic and Your Pain Management Physician appeared first on Restore Medical Partners.

Maintaining healthy cholesterol and insulin levels can keep inflammation at bay, which is especially important as patients age, where natural arthritic degeneration can cause inflammation more regularly. Fibromyalgia, a constant source of frustration for millions of patients nationwide, has also been shown to be eased with a proper anti-inflammatory diet.

While targeted interventional care is sometimes needed, one of the most exciting and easy-to-accomplish approaches to pain management is in your diet. A natural, anti-inflammatory diet helps speed along recovery from injuries and other pain conditions, and is a necessary factor in a well-rounded approach to chronic pain.

Here are three basics to fighting inflammation with your diet;

1.    Eat your vegies. 

8-9 Servings of vegetables each day. You can alternate several of these servings with fruit instead. Cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels Sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower are particularly helpful in reducing inflammation.

2.    Restrict the grains.

Dairy, simple carbohydrates, flour, and sugar are particularly bad choices for those in chronic pain as they tend to cause inflammation. When consuming grains, choose whole grains like barley, oats, quinoa, and brown rice over other options, and limit your intake. Olive oil and nuts are also effective inflammation fighters.

3.    Avoid red meat. 

Now I know this one may not be all that popular, but red meat can be a significant trigger for inflammation. Replacing red meat with fish or choosing vegetarian options is always a wise decision. Alternating some red meats with chicken can also help. While chicken isn’t necessarily beneficial, it’s not a trigger of inflammation the way red meat is.

Maintaining a healthy weight, the side effect of good diet and exercise, is the best way to fight arthritis and inflammation. Get a simple exercise routine going, even if it’s only a 30 minute walk 2-3 days a week. That kind of activity can ward off pain and increase overall health and wellbeing. It can also be a time to decompress and de-stress, another major factor in keeping pain levels down.

The post Fighting Inflammation With Your Diet appeared first on Restore Medical Partners.

However, new advances in percuta­neous (needle-guided) procedures now allow interventional pain man­agement physicians to effectively treat these conditions, without the use of steroids. Radio-Frequency Ablation (RFA) is a unique technol­ogy designed to treat the source of arthritic back, neck, knee, and hip pain. Restore Medical Partners phy­sicians, Dr. Lindsey Job, Dr. Peter Fernandez, and Dr. Lindsay Shroyer, have completed thousands of these cutting edge procedures and have proven the long-lasting benefits of the treatment. Restore Medical Partners employs the latest in radio-frequency technology to bring superior results to patients in our community who otherwise struggle to combat their arthritis pain and whose pain limits their daily and recreational activities. These procedures are minimally invasive, without the need for anything beyond a needle, and can provide long-lasting pain relief of 12+ months.

RFA is completed as a same-day service, typically with sedation, getting patients back on their feet quickly and providing a comfortable experience along the way. Along with a bevy of other pain treatment options, RFA is one of the tools in the pocket of the Restore Medical Partners team. It is safe, covered by all major insurances, and is a proven method for reducing arthritis pain.

For those patients who need spine surgery, RFA has also been shown to improve post-operative outcomes as well.

Interventional pain management and spine care have undergone a revolution. If you suffer with arthritic pain and it impacts your quality of life, there is no need to suffer. RFA might be right for you.

The post Radio-Frequency For Long-Lasting Pain Relief appeared first on Restore Medical Partners.

Understanding Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders. It involves various techniques including exercises, manual therapy, education, and modalities like heat or cold therapy. The goal is to restore function, improve mobility, and alleviate pain.

1. Personalized Treatment Plans

One of the primary benefits of physical therapy in pain management is the development of personalized treatment plans. Unlike generic pain relief methods, physical therapy is tailored to address the specific causes and manifestations of pain for each individual. Therapists assess your unique condition, considering factors like posture, movement patterns, and overall physical health, to create a customized plan that targets your needs.

2. Addressing the Root Cause

Physical therapy doesn’t just mask pain; it aims to address the underlying causes. For instance, poor posture, muscle imbalances, and joint dysfunctions can contribute to chronic pain. Through targeted exercises and manual therapy, physical therapists work to correct these issues, potentially reducing the pain and preventing its recurrence.

3. Reducing Dependence on Medications

Chronic pain often leads to the reliance on medications, including opioids, which can have significant side effects and risk of dependency. Physical therapy offers a non-pharmacological alternative that can help manage pain effectively. Techniques such as therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and modalities like ultrasound and electrical stimulation can provide relief without the need for medication.

4. Enhancing Mobility and Function

Pain often limits mobility and functional abilities, impacting daily activities and overall quality of life. Physical therapy focuses on improving strength, flexibility, and coordination, which can enhance your ability to perform everyday tasks. As mobility and function improve, pain levels often decrease, creating a positive feedback loop of improved well-being.

5. Empowering Self-Management

An important aspect of physical therapy is education. At Restore, Our Physical Therapists educate patients about their conditions, proper body mechanics, and ways to manage pain effectively. This knowledge empowers patients to take an active role in their recovery and long-term pain management. Home exercises and lifestyle modifications are integral parts of this educational process, enabling patients to continue their progress outside of therapy sessions.

6. Improving Quality of Life

Chronic pain can lead to a decrease in overall quality of life, affecting physical, emotional, and social aspects. By managing pain through physical therapy, individuals often experience improved mood, better sleep, and a greater ability to engage in activities they enjoy. The holistic approach of physical therapy addresses both physical and psychological aspects of pain, contributing to a more fulfilling life.

7. Long-Term Benefits

The benefits of physical therapy extend beyond immediate pain relief. By addressing the root causes of pain and improving physical function, PT can lead to long-term improvements in health and well-being. Regular physical therapy sessions can help maintain these benefits over time, reducing the likelihood of future pain episodes and promoting long-term health.

Conclusion

Physical therapy stands out as a valuable component in the multifaceted approach to pain management. By offering personalized, non-pharmacological treatments, addressing the root causes of pain, and empowering patients with knowledge and skills, physical therapy provides a holistic solution that can enhance both pain relief and overall quality of life. If you’re struggling with chronic pain, consider consulting with one of our physical therapist to explore how this effective and empowering treatment can support your journey to wellness.

Take the first step toward a life with less pain and more freedom!

The post The Synergistic Benefits of Physical Therapy in Pain Management appeared first on Restore Medical Partners.

Understanding Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for longer than three months, and it can arise from a variety of conditions, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, and past injuries. Unlike acute pain, which serves as a warning sign of injury or illness, chronic pain can become a condition in itself, significantly impacting an individual’s quality of life.

Many people with chronic pain experience a range of symptoms, including:

• Constant discomfort or aching
• Sharp, shooting, or burning sensations
• Fatigue and sleep disturbances
• Difficulty concentrating

These symptoms can make daily activities challenging and often lead to emotional struggles such as anxiety and depression. If you are struggling with chronic pain, take the first step towards relief—call your healthcare provider today to schedule a pain management appointment and explore the options available to help you live more comfortably.

The Importance of Pain Management

Effective pain management is crucial not only for alleviating discomfort but also for improving overall well-being. It allows individuals to engage in their daily lives, maintain relationships, and pursue activities they enjoy. Here are some key approaches to pain management:

1. Medications: Over-the-counter and prescription medications can help manage pain. It’s essential to work closely with healthcare providers to find the right balance and avoid potential side effects.
2. Physical Therapy: A tailored physical therapy program can strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and promote overall mobility. Therapists can teach patients exercises that target specific pain areas.
3. Mind-Body Techniques: Practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga can help reduce stress and improve pain perception. These techniques promote relaxation and enhance emotional well-being.
4. Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic care can provide relief for some individuals. It’s important to explore these options with a healthcare professional to find what works best.
5. Lifestyle Modifications: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep are foundational to managing chronic pain. Small changes in daily habits can lead to significant improvements over time.

As we observe Pain Management Awareness Month, let’s commit to building a more supportive environment for those living with chronic pain. Together, we can increase awareness, promote effective management strategies, and advocate for policies that make a real difference in the lives of millions. By spreading knowledge and compassion, we can create a community that values health and well-being for all.

Meet Our Pain Care Team

LINDSEY JOB, MD

• Board-certified Anesthesiologist
• Board-certified Interventional Pain Specialist

Residency in Anesthesiology – Vanderbilt University

Fellowship – Northwestern Medical Hospital

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GERALD L. NICKERSON, JR, MD

• Board-certified Pain Medicine
• Board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – National Rehabilitation Hospital

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Joseph Adkins, APRN CNP

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Stacy Wilson, APRN

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Lindsey Garrison, PA-C

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The post Transforming Pain into Power: The Path to Relief Starts Here appeared first on Restore Medical Partners.